NEW BRITAIN - The 40th Children's Charities Tennis Classic got off to a strong start Friday at the Don Davis Tennis Courts at Walnut Hill Park in New Britain.

“It's been a great tournament so far, and I'm so grateful to all the players, committee members, sponsors and donors for their support,” said Don Lukowksi, the chairperson and founder of the event. “We have raised over $4,600 so far for the Hospital for Special Care's pediatric autism programs and we look to making our goal of $5,000 a reality.”

Abby Weaver of Plantsville won the 15’s championship after defeating Claire Bernard of Easton by a score of 6-0, 6-0.

In boys 16's singles, Adam Kosko of Plantsville defeated Tyler Hussey of Rocky Hill in a thrilling match. With the two trading the first sets 6-4, 4-6, Kosko broke through in the tiebreaker, played in lieu of a third set, 10-6.

In boys 18's singles, semifinal action saw top-seeded Matt Balaoing of Southington beat fourth-seeded Sean Davis of Newington by a score of 6-4, 6-3. In the other semifinal, Hussein Akbar, the No. 2 seed was defeated by the No. 3 seed Jake Bernard of Easton in a match with Bernard ousting Akbar, 2-6, 6-4 and finally winning a tie breaker, in lieu of a third set, 10-7. Bernard will face off against Balaoing in the finals today at 11a.m.

One of the highlights of the day was a "celebrity" doubles match with Roger Susanin of Channel 3 pairing up with Claire Bernard of Easton against Sean Hussey, the head coach of the Newington High School girls tennis team, and Tim Davis of Newington. Hussey and Davis won the match 6-2.

Lukowski stated that due to the forecast of rain for Saturday, the tournament will be played on Saturday at The Newington Tennis Center on Prospect St in Newington. The tournament will conclude on Saturday. The public is welcome to attend. There is no charge.